It gives you 15GB of free storage if you have a Google account. You can get even more if you buy a subscription. You can download files from anywhere at any time and on any device, regardless of the number of files you store on Google Drive.
Google Drive works most of the time, as promised, but sometimes you need help to download what you need. This can happen for several reasons, some of which are easier to fix than others.
In this piece, we’ll show you how to fix issues with Google Drive that prevent you from downloading files.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading?
As a Google account holder, you can access Google Drive on your laptop or PC or use the Google Drive app on your mobile device.
The solutions to fix the issue of Google Drive not downloading will be similar across devices, but some will be more clear.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Computer?
If you use a PC, you can use Google Drive on both the Windows and macOS working systems. So let’s figure out how to fix the files that won’t download the issue for both.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Windows?
Any browser on Windows can access Google Drive. So if Google Drive won’t download anything, the first thing to do to fix the issue is close the browser and restart it.
The Chrome browser works best with Google Drive, but it can sometimes fail when you try to download something from Google Drive. One of the best methods to fix this is to clear Chrome‘s cookies. Unfortunately, that’s often the thing that gets in the way of working well. Here’s how that can be done:
- Start Chrome, then click on the three straight dots in the top right corner.
- Connect “More Tools” and then “Clear browsing data.”
- Go to the “Advanced” bill and check the “Cached images and files” box.
- Select “Clear data” after that.
After clearing the cache files, restart Chrome and try again.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Mac?
Are you downloading the files from Google Drive correctly? You can use any browser on any operating system, including macOS, to try one of three basic ways.
- Method 1 – Right-click the file in Google Drive and select “Download.”
- Method 2 – Choose the file or files you want to download, connect the three vertical dots in the top right corner, and then click “Download” from the menu that appears.
- Method 3 – Open the file in Google Drive and click on the icon in the top right corner that looks like an arrow pointing down.
You won’t be capable of downloading any Google Drive files without using one of these methods as an app. But if you’ve been doing everything right and still need to get further, there are other things you can try. To access shared files, ensure you’re signed into the right Google account.
- Clear your browser’s history and cache.
- Check your link to the internet.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Android?
You need to have a Google account to use all of an Android device’s features. That also means you can use the Google Drive app to access all the files on your device.
If you download a document, picture, or video from Drive to your Android device and it doesn’t work, it could be for several reasons. First, check your internet link, whether you’re using Wi-Fi or mobile data. Have you gone over the cap for the month?
Another option is that your device needs more storage space to save the file you downloaded. Check the storage on your phone and get rid of files to make room. Lastly, you might need to update the Google Drive app if you still need to set up the Google Drive app to update regularly. Get the latest update by going to the Play Store.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to iPhone?
Check your internet link if you’re attempting to download a file from Drive to your iPhone, but it won’t work. Depending on the file size, you may need a strong link to see the download start immediately.
Make sure your iPhone has enough free repositories to save the file you want to download if you’re sure that your internet connection is stable. When there isn’t sufficient storage, the download will control, and you’ll probably see an error on the screen.
Lastly, ensure that your iPhone’s Google Drive iOS app is current. Make sure you have the newest version by visiting the App Store.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Chromebook?
One of the apps that come with Chrome OS is Google Drive. You can use both the Chrome web store and an Android app to access the web version of Drive.
More specifically, if you have a Chromebook bought after 2017, Android OS is built into Chrome OS. This means you get the best of both worlds.
You may not have enough storage space when you download something from Google Drive to your Chromebook. This is because most Chromebooks are mostly cloud-based, and there is little space for saving files.
So, checking that should be the first thing on the list. However, an unstable internet link or a buggy app can cause other issues. For example, if the Google Drive app on your Android device is freezing, you can easily restart it. What you should do:
- Click on the small circle in the lower-left corner of the screen.
- Select the upward-pointing button when the Launcher pad pops up.
- This makes your App Drawer bigger. Find the Google Drive app and right-click on it.
- Choose “Uninstall,” then click “Uninstall” again on the next window to confirm.
The Google Drive app will be gone from your App Drawer in a few seconds. Then, you must go to your Chromebook’s Play Store and download it again. The whole thing will take a few minutes. After that, you should be able to download files again from Google Drive.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading After Zipping?
A compressed file will be created for your convenience when you download multiple files from Google Drive to your device. But Drive gets stuck sometimes when it’s making the Zip file.
“Preparing Download” will stay on the screen for a while, but nothing will happen. However, clicking the “X” to close the browser tab and then selecting “Leave site” is a trick that frequently works.
Instead of losing the download, a pop-up window will show and ask you to save the Zip file on your computer. This only happens if the file is already ready but there is a delay. If that doesn’t work, you must return to the beginning. Try a different browser or delete the cache files first this time.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading Photos?
Many people use Google Drive mainly to store photos that they want to be able to access from anywhere. When you can’t download your pictures from Drive, especially one at a time, it’s usually because of a problem with your internet link.
You have enough storage for one or two files. So, ensure your computer or mobile device is connected to the internet. If you’re on your phone or tablet, check Google Drive to see if there are any new updates you need to download.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading Videos?
The most significant problem with downloading videos from Google Drive is that video files are usually big, even if the videos are shorter.
You could save a short movie to your phone but not realize the file is nearly 100GB.
Your phone or tablet doesn’t have enough storage space and can’t save the movie. But if that’s not the case, Drive might have bugs. You can restart your device or check if the app needs an update.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading Large Files?
Some people with Google accounts pay for a lot of storage space in Google Drive to keep their big files in one place. For example, someone can download a file that is more than 200GB in size.
That will take a stable and fast internet connection, enough storage space on your computer, and some creativity if you run into a problem.
It may get stuck and fail when Google Drive starts to compress the file. For this job, users must use the Incognito mode in their browser as a workaround.
But if you started the download without using the Incognito mode, close the browser window by pressing the “X” key. Then, wait and see if your computer tells you to save the file.
Additional FAQs
1. Why Is Google Drive So Slow?
There are several reasons why your Google Drive may be slowing down, but most of the time, it is either your internet connection or the processor in your device. On the other hand, Google Drive might be having problems on their end, which happens less often.
2. How Do I Download a Non-Downloadable File From Google Drive?
You can ensure that no one else can change or download a file or folder from Google Drive when you share it with them. When you right-click on the file and choose “Share,” you can uncheck “Editors can change permissions and share.”
This will make the file impossible to download. But if you forgot to check that box and the people you shared files with say they can’t download it, check it again.
3. How Do I Fix My Download Limit on Google Drive?
Again, if you share a file from Google Drive with someone else, they may get an error message saying they’ve reached the maximum number of downloads.
Google limits files that can be shared and then starts them over after 24 hours. To get around this issue, copy the file in question, rename it, and then transfer it with your peers again.
4. How Do I Fix Google Drive Not Downloading?
Your solutions will depend on why Google Drive is not downloading. For example, you might need to change your browser, use Incognito mode, clear your browser’s cache, or check your internet link.
When using the Drive mobile app, you should always make sure that your device has sufficient storage and that you have the latest performance of the app.
5. Why Are My Google Drive Files Not Downloading?
The compression process may suddenly slow down when downloading multiple files from Drive. Try again and make sure your internet connection is stable.
6. How Do I Download Google Drive on My Laptop?
Google Drive has a desktop version you can use on a laptop or PC. Select “Drive for Mac/PC” from the main Google Drive page.
Then, under “For Individuals,” click “Download.” A window will open. Click “Agree and Download.” When the file finishes downloading, drive it on your computer and then sign in with your Google account.
Files can always be downloaded from Google Drive.
There’s Always a Way to Get Google Drive to Download Files
Google Drive is one of Google’s best-known and most-used tools. We’ve all grown to count on Drive to store our files. As a result, you can look at them when you download them to your computer or mobile device.
If Google Drive isn’t downloading, it’s generally an internet connection or storage space issue. A problem with downloads on mobile devices can result from not using the most recent version of Drive.
Have you ever had issues with Google Drive? Please tell us what you feel about the area below.